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I am the process of building my first steel-string with a slotted headstock. I’m designing my headstock template and am not totally sure what dimensions I should use. I don’t have access to any slotted headstocks to take measurements. I’m just curious what dimension some of you guys are using. I’m looking for…

-total length of the headstock
-distance between the nut and first tuners
-thickness of the headstock

I am going to go with a traditional design with a square top. I have a template for routing the slots and drilling the holes so that won’t be a problem.

Thanks for the help

Josh

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

Hey brother .... safe trip home I take it !!! Good to see you and the Mrs. (I can NEVER remember her name !!!)

Slotheads ... TK style .... length, anywhere form 6 1/2 to 7

Depth ... minimum 3/4, I like .800-820 better, you can then see any lines you add under the plates.

Slot starts at 1 3/8, first tuner is at 2 inches. I use the Luthier tool jig, modded for thickness ...

I also angle the headstock less, 10-11 degrees.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

I ordered the StewMac 000 plans just to get the headstock dimensions. They are pretty much identical to what Tony said. I like the idea of going a tad over 3/4"thickness. Mine have been 3/4". This Grobet file is great for doing the ramps.

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

For me, the width of the tuning machine base determines the thickness of the headstock. I basically just want the head to be a little thicker than the width of the tuner base. I will vary the total thickness a bit depending on the veneers I'm using on the front and back of the head.

I don't use traditional headstock shapes, so I don't think my other measurements would help you much.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

One tip...

Make sure your headstock is long enough to install the tuners the right way....

My ditson slotted headstock is probably ~1/2" too short at the top... and as a result, I had to install the tuners backwards.

Good luck

John

Thanks for the dimension and tips. That is what I was looking for and will be helpful.

Josh

_________________
Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com